Panda Bear and Sonic Boom, the innovative duo of Noah Lennox and Pete Kember, have just dropped their latest project, the Reset Mariachi EP. This release revisits two standout tracks from their critically acclaimed 2022 LP Reset, now reimagined with the vibrant sounds of Mexico City’s Mariachi 2000 de Cutberto Pérez. Marking the two-year anniversary of the original album, the EP features two Spanish-language versions of “Peligro (Danger)” and “Viviendo en las secuelas (Livin’ in the After).” These tracks are given a fresh, dynamic twist, with one version performed by Panda Bear and Sonic Boom, and another by the vocalists of Mariachi 2000, each layered with rich mariachi instrumentals, including the guitarron, vihuela, guitar, trumpet, and strings.
The digital EP, available today, also includes instrumental versions of both songs and comes with sheet music featuring Spanish translations. For vinyl enthusiasts, the release on September 20 offers a unique “Magic Matrix Puzzle Platter,” where the dual concentric vinyl cut adds an element of surprise, allowing either version of the track to play at random.
Accompanying the release, the duo has also unveiled two versions of an animated video for “Peligro (Danger),” crafted by Lucas Moreira & Studio Sparks. This EP is a fascinating fusion of cultures and sounds, offering a fresh take on tracks that were already deeply innovative in their original form.